16:25 Cheltenham

Wednesday 13 April 2022

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Safran Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 5m 59.23s

Wholestone²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 148| CD

22/1

Smart chaser who came back from 15 months off with victory in attritional 3m Haydock Grade 2 hurdle in February. That may have left it's mark, as he followed it with a tame run in the Midlands Grand National.

Form: 21/5F-1P

Lisnagar Oscar^p²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 145| CD

10/1

2020 Stayers' Hurdle winner who is far more hit and miss these days, underlined by a poor effort in this year's renewal of that event. Still, he's capable of making his mark if on a going day.

Form: 8-35P3P

Haul Away^p¹⁷²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 136

22/1

Four-time winner last season and signed off with a good third at this course in October. Another career-best effort after 7 months if a big ask, but he's a likeable type who should be tuned up.

Form: 316113

Zanza²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 135

11/1

Very useful chaser who was pulled up in a couple of highly competitive handicaps earlier this year. Took a step back in the right direction over hurdles last time and his mark is appealing now.

Form: 362PP8

Pileon^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 134

11/1

Back to winning ways at Sandown before fair seventh over C&D in January. Not disgraced in the Pertemps Final last month and handicapper has dropped him 1 lb since.

Form: 8-04170

Small Present¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 130| D

16/1

Gained a deserved success when bagging 3m Haydock handicap in January but has been below his best since.

Form: 363165

Jesuitique⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 130| DWS

6/1

Started well for this stable, winning 3 of his first 4 starts. Found it tougher in a competitive event at Sandown last time but these are calmer waters and he may resume progress after a break.

Form: 3-11210

Wbee²³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: S Bowen| T: G Hanmer| OR: 128

16/1

Progressing well since sent handicapping, bringing up the 4-timer at Stratford when last seen in August. Up 8 lb for that success and another bold show anticipated from this progressive 6-y-o.

Form: 321-111

Risk And Roll⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: H J Evans| OR: 128| BF

16/1

Caused a surprise when making second start for new yard a winning one at Huntingdon (25f) in January and has remained in form since. Likely to give another good account.

Form: 4141D5

Tip Top Cat⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 125| D

9/1

Completed hat-trick in 11-runner handicap at Taunton in December and wasn't disgraced when fourth to Risk And ROll in handicap at Huntingdon next time. Given a break subsequently, and no surprise if he pulls out a bit more.

Form: 0-31114

Last Royal⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 122

5/4

Career best when easily winning 9-runner novice hurdle at Wincanton (21.4f) 20 days ago. Goes into handicaps on a good mark so another bold showing is on the cards.

Form: 2-3F521

Forecasts

Last Royal (5/4), Jesuitique (6/1), Tip Top Cat (9/1), Lisnagar Oscar (10/1), Pileon (11/1), Zanza (11/1), Wbee (16/1), Risk And Roll (16/1), Small Present (16/1), Haul Away (22/1), Wholestone (22/1)

LAST ROYAL got off the mark in effortless fashion in a Wincanton novice last month and he appears to have been handed a potentially lenient opening mark. As such, he gets the nod over the in-form Risk And Roll, with Jesuitique also considered returning from a 2-month break.